An Active Ghost

Theresa Kneppers presented new photographs by the artist, David Christian, for an exhibition called ‘An Active Ghost’. This project takes inspiration from the history of Folkestone as a former shipping port, ferry terminal, and trade centre; and considers its current and past roles as a portal to Europe and beyond. 

The exhibition focused on contemporary and Victorian infrastructure, including now disused train tracks, bridges, train station; along with the modern infrastructure for the Eurotunnel including its terminal; and the roadways, and overpasses which lead to and from it. Looking at this infrastructure, both past and present, as historical markers on the landscape, a constellation of narratives were utilised to consider the social, transport, trade and shifting uses of these aspects of the man-made industrial landmarks in the landscape. Working with the writer and researcher, Edwina Attlee, written pieces were produced that considered these aspects of the built history of Folkestone. This written work was shown alongside a series of large-format photographs.

Documenting the traces of the area’s transport infrastructure, the intention of the project was to propose that although some of these structures no longer serve the functionality they were originally created for, this does not mean they are defunct but that their meaning and usage has shifted, and has been adapted to serve the community differently. Knepper’s goal for the project was to highlight the connection between a site’s past and present; perhaps altering the way a viewer sees, considers and relates to the landscape, which was especially relevant within a moment when we were reconsidering and renegotiating our relationship with Europe and the wider world.

Images by: David Christian and Nina Shen

Workshop led by Theresa Kneppers 

Saturday 1 June 2019, 10am-1pm

Urban Room Folkestone, Harbour St, Folkestone CT20 1TP

Walk with David, Theresa and Pavement Pounders

Sunday 2 June 2019, 3pm

Meeting at: CT20 Projects, 73 Tontine Street, Folkestone, CT20 1JR

David Christian is a London-based architectural photographer documenting for, and collaborating with, exciting architecture and design firms worldwide.

Theresa Knepper is a curator and PhD researcher for CSNI (Centre for the Study of the Networked Image).

HPCT20 2019’s Curatorial Residency Programme was a rolling programme of one month residencies inviting curatorial proposals from all practitioners, including those working in the visual arts, performance, architecture and design to research and execute an exhibition project in Folkestone.